Valley Heights USD #498

USD 498 COVID-19 Update: We are very excited to have our Junior/Senior High School students back in the building today! In looking at our current COVID-19 data, it is easy to see that our numbers have dropped significantly and our percentage of quarantined students is back within a very manageable range. What we have learned throughout the course of this semester is that the spread is NOT happening in our schools. This is a testament to our teachers and staff and their diligence in following the recommended protocols, as well as keeping our facilities clean and sanitized. Thank you for doing your part by refraining from social gatherings, wearing masks and maintaining a safe social distance. After a much needed Thanksgiving break, we are glad to be back with our students and are hopeful for a successful conclusion to the first semester! Please feel free to contact me with if you have questions or concerns. Melissa Kennedy Superintendent of Schools

Let's always keep the spirit alive!

This year, perhaps more than ever, we are filled with gratitude for the love of our students, and the consistent support from our parents, patrons and community. Although the challenges of this school year are novel and trying, our spirits are lifted through the grace and understanding that is extended to us. We are #Mustang Proud! Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at USD 498!

We had another great group of volunteers Saturday for recycling! Love seeing our students make a difference!!!

A reminder that there is no school for all of USD 498 this week! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

USD 498 COVID-19 Update

There will be no meals served next week, November 23rd - 27th. Have a great Thanksgiving break. We look forward to seeing everyone on the 30th.

USD 498 COVID-19 Update

Good Morning Valley Heights! With the increase of positive COVID-19 cases we need to be more diligent with the the types of mask and proper mask wearing. The proper placement of a mask is to cover both the nose and mouth. We will no longer allow neck gaitors or bandanas to be worn, as for most of those are NOT 2ply. The approved mask are procedural mask, surgical mask, KN95, N95 or mask with 2 layers of washable, breathable fabric. If you do not have one of the approved masks or questions please feel free to email me at: jvathauer@valleyheights.org Thank you for your compliance!

USD 498 COVID-19 Update

USD 498 COVID-19 Update: Effective November 16, 2020, the Marshall County Health Department announced Updated Contact Tracing and Exclusion of Contacts in a low risk school setting. What this changes for our district quarantine protocols is summarized here: Wearing of Masks Exclusion Protocol Mask wearing has been shown to be an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Individuals who are wearing masks and are in close contact (6 feet for 10 minutes or more) with an infectious individual wearing a mask are considered low risk for contracting COVID-19. Because schools have policies and monitoring capabilities for mask wearing, Marshall County Health Department does not recommend excluding students and staff who are close contacts of a COVID-19 positive individual, as long as masks were being worn correctly (covering nose and mouth) and in what is otherwise considered to be a low risk exposure. In those situations, quarantine of close contacts would not be required. Individuals who were unmasked within 6 feet for 10 consecutive minutes or more or participated in a high-risk activity with a COVID-19 positive individual during their infectious period, or who were directly exposed to respiratory droplets/excretions for any amount of time, will be excluded for 14 days from their last interaction with the individual. I have also attached the Health Department Risk Exposure definitions. This means that proper and consistent mask wearing DOES make a difference, and it will significantly reduce the number of students in our district placed in quarantine IF MASKS ARE WORN CORRECTLY AND WITH FIDELITY! If you have any questions about this information, or any other district matters, please feel free to contact me at the district office. Thank you! Melissa Kennedy Superintendent of Schools

Unfortunately we were not able to have our book fair in person this year due to the Covid 19 and guidelines. We are however having an online book fair in its place. Our fair will be running until November 22nd, 2020. Scholastic has come up with a way for you to even visit our "fair" as it would've been, if it were here in our very own gym!! I have included the link below that will take you direct to our online virtual fair. All orders are shipped direct to your homes and offer free shipping for all orders over $25. This is a great time to order books for Christmas or for that car ride if you are going out of town over any of the upcoming holidays!! If you have any questions at all or need assistance with the fair and ordering please let me know: Candice Brooks (785) 363 2530 https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/homepage.do?method=homepage&url=valleyheightselementary1

USD 498 COVID-19 Update: Monday, November 16, 2020

USD 498 COVID-19 Update: I have included below an open letter from the Kansas COVID Workgroup for Kids. I can assure you that I agree with the message it shares. In analyzing the positive cases in our district, the heart of the outbreak within our school is from positive direct contacts outside of our buildings. Our teachers and staff have done an outstanding job of keeping students safe in our buildings ~ mandatory masks, frequent hand washing, exceptional sanitation and social distancing. We are following the protocols necessary to prevent the spread of this virus from within! We want nothing more than for our students to be with us in our buildings each and every day. We know remote learning is not best for kids, and that segregation from teachers and peers is hard on their social emotional well-being. Quarantines, contact tracing, serving and delivering lunches, staff shortages, remote learning , etc. Our system is being taxed in ways that are unprecedented, and the toll on both our physical and human resources is unparalleled. We need your help. We want our students back on November 30! They need us, and we miss them! Our behaviors over the next two weeks will determine how successfully we can make it through the remainder of the semester. Please take extra precautions for you and your family's health. Stay healthy, stay safe and stay home! Melissa Kennedy Superintendent of Schools

USD 498 COVID-19 Update: In the table below is the most current and specific information for COVID19 within the Valley Heights district. Thank you all for doing your part in supporting our students and staff as we navigate through these challenging times. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Melissa Kennedy Superintendent of Schools

We regret to inform you that we will not be having Colt's Round-Up next week, November 16 - November 19. This decision was not arrived at easily however with recent events we have been limited with staffing and to assure the health and best interests of both our students and staff we will be cancelling Colt's Round-Up and resuming on Monday, November 30 with our normal schedule. 

USD 498 COVID-19 Update: This morning, Thursday, November 12, we received word that two Waterville Elementary students have tested positive for COVID-19. Our district health nurse, with assistance from the Marshall County Health Department, did the appropriate contact tracing. All families have been notified and those with direct contact have been placed in quarantine. At this time our district has now had 27 positive cases. We ask that you continue to practice health department protocols of mask wearing, social distancing and frequent hand washing. Our goals remain the same, to keep our elementary schools open and return our middle school and high school students back to on-site learning. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the district office. Melissa Kennedy Superintendent of Schools

USD 498 Students, Parents and Patrons, At their monthly board meeting last night, the USD 498 Board of Education voted to alter the 2020-2021 school calendar as follows: Thanksgiving break has been extended to include Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November, 24th. There will be no school the week of November 22, and all district students will return to on-site learning on Monday, November 30th. Effective January 1, 2021, all PLC early release Wednesday's will be cancelled, and we will instead release every Friday of second semester at 12:30 p.m. We want to give you a heads up on these changes so you have ample time to alter your calendars and make necessary changes in your schedules. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to adjust and adapt through these unprecedented times.

USD 498 COVID-19 Update: As of this evening, Monday, November 9 at 8:00 p.m. our district has a total of 25 positive COVID cases. These continue to be VHHS students and staff members. Please avoid social gatherings, wear masks, wash your hands thoroughly and often, and practice social distancing whenever possible. It is also important that quarantined individuals stay at home and adhere to the recommendations of the Marshall County Health Department. We really want our VHHS kids back in school with us, and to keep our elementary students in their classrooms each day. Thank you for helping us keep our schools safe and our students learning! Melissa Kennedy Superintendent

USD 498 COVID19 Update: As of this morning, Friday, November 5 at 11:00 a.m., our district has a total of 21 positive COVID cases. These remain to be among students and staff of the VHHS building. Please continue to practice the protocols of mask wearing, social distancing and frequent handwashing. Contact the Marshall County Health Department if you or a family member begin to exhibit COVID symptoms. Have a great weekend, and thank you for putting the safety and continued learning of our students first! Melissa Kenney Superintendent